Pictured: Marking the construction milestone are (l-r) Fran
Rodgers, head of strategic housing, Northampton Borough Council;
Carl Larter, director of new business and development, Midland
Heart; Michael Wilson, programme manager for the HCA and Guy
Higgins, managing director, William Davis Ltd
Project partners, dignitaries and potential customers have
gathered to mark a significant milestone in the construction of
Northampton's newest supported housing scheme, Oasis House on
Campbell Street.
Loughborough-based contractor and developer, William Davis Ltd
together with Midland Heart and Northampton Borough Council, fixed
a traditional plaque on the rooftop of the building to mark the
highest point of construction for the £5.3m* development,
which when complete, will revolutionise the provision of supported
living in Northampton.
Guy Higgins, managing director, William Davis said: "As the
exterior of the building takes shape, we can really envisage how
Oasis House will blend with the surrounding landscape. It is
important we mark this occasion together with our project partners,
and look ahead to the next step towards the provision of a high
quality, multifunctional service for the town."
Carl Larter, director of new business and development at Midland
Heart added: "This housing scheme will offer a much needed resource
for the community of Northampton, consolidating and improving local
provision to offer the best possible support for those people who
need it most."
The scheme is being developed by leading housing and care
organisation Midland Heart, in partnership with Northampton Borough
Council; contractor and developer William Davis Ltd; the
Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), who have invested £2.8m
in the development; Northamptonshire County Council's Supporting
People programme; the Hope Centre in Northampton; NAASH
(Northampton Association for Accommodation for Single Homeless);
CAN (County of Northampton Council on Addiction); YMCA; Northampton
Homeless Forum.
Oasis House is due for completion in early 2012 and will provide
48 units of accommodation, including 39 self-contained apartments
plus nine emergency units, three of which have dog kennels
attached. The scheme will act as a multi-functional site
amalgamating accommodation at Acorn House and day-time drop in
facilities at the Hope Centre under one roof.
Portfolio Holder for Housing, Councillor Christopher Malpas from
Northampton Borough Council said: "This exemplary housing scheme
shows a new vision for the support of homeless people in
Northampton and I am delighted the Council was able to be here to
see this project as it nears completion."
Michael Wilson, programme manager for the HCA, added: "The
project will be a massive support for homeless people in
Northampton, providing not just high quality accommodation but,
critically, vital support services to help the transition towards
moving back into full-time accommodation. We look forward to see it
up and running very soon."
The new scheme will also include a day centre, IT suite, arts
and crafts centre, a kitchen garden, housing advice service and
training facilities which have all been designed to engage and
motivate people to overcome barriers in their lives.
* Development value